How Ellis Brigham is Creating Career Pathways for Snow Camp Young People

At Snow Camp, we are passionate about empowering young people through snowsports; equipping them with valuable life skills, qualifications, and exciting career opportunities in the snowsports industry and beyond. 

Our journey wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of our incredible and wide-ranging industry partners, with Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports being a key player in making this happen, right from the start. 

More than just a retailer, Ellis Brigham actively invests in the future of our young people, providing apprentice placements, work experience opportunities, and recruitment pathways that give our participants real-world industry experience. Their dedication ensures that the skills developed through Snow Camp programmes don’t just end on the slopes – they translate into meaningful career opportunities in the snowsports sector and beyond.

Work Placements: A Stepping Stone to the Snowsports Industry

A crucial aspect of Ellis Brigham’s support is their work placement programme, which provides Snow Camp apprentices with hands-on experience in a real working environment.

• In Glasgow, Ellis Brigham offers a tailored 9-week placement programme, ensuring that all of our Scottish apprentices gain practical and industry-relevant experience.
• Young people work alongside experienced retail professionals, learning about customer service, sales, product knowledge, and teamwork—all valuable transferable skills.
• These placements boost confidence, develop responsibility, and provide participants with their first taste of working life in a supportive and structured environment.

Take Sophia, for example. She completed her placement at an Ellis Brigham store and discovered a passion for working in snowsports retail. The skills and experience she gained opened up new career possibilities, giving her the confidence to pursue a future in the industry.

Alex, General Manager at Ellis Brigham Braehead, shares why these placements matter:

“At Ellis Brigham, Braehead, we look forward to the arrival of our Snow Camp Apprentices each year. They join us from October onwards and it signals the start of winter for us at the store.

We work on a 1-1 basis with our Apprentices on snowsports product training, customer service skills and business administration practices to ensure they have a well-rounded overview of a busy snowsports retail operation.

It helps hugely that these young folk are so stoked on skiing and boarding and are keen to learn as much as they can about the gear we sell.

It’s our pleasure and privilege to provide some employable skills they can use within the UK industry or in a ski resort further afield.” – Alex, GM, Ellis Brigham Braehead.

For many young people, Ellis Brigham provides their first professional work experience, helping them build the skills and connections they need to take the next step in their careers.

Industry Experience Days: Opening Doors to Career Opportunities

In addition to placements, Ellis Brigham hosts Industry Experience Days for Snow Camp participants. These days give young people a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work in the UK’s snowsports sector.

During these interactive sessions, participants:

• Explore different career paths in the snowsports and outdoor retail industries.
• Learn about technical equipment, sales techniques, and customer engagement.
• Gain insight into the skills and qualifications needed to work in the industry.
• Connect with experienced Ellis Brigham team members, who share career advice and personal experiences.

For many of our young people, these Industry Days are a lightbulb moment – they realise that a career in snowsports isn’t just a dream, but an achievable goal. With the right training, mindset, and support, they can turn their passion into a profession.

These experiences help bridge the gap between education and employment, providing clear pathways into jobs, apprenticeships, and long-term careers in the industry.

Recruitment Pathways: From Apprenticeships to Employment

Ellis Brigham doesn’t just offer short-term experiences – they actively create long-term opportunities for Snow Camp participants to progress into employment.

• Many young people who complete placements or Industry Days go on to apply for seasonal or permanent roles at Ellis Brigham stores.
• By supporting Snow Camp participants, Ellis Brigham gains access to a talented, motivated, and skilled workforce – young people who already have experience in the industry and a passion for snow sports.
• This direct recruitment pathway helps our apprentices transition from training to employment, providing secure and exciting career prospects.

For a young person who may have never considered a career in retail or the outdoor industry, this opportunity can be life-changing.

A Commitment Beyond Careers: Supporting Snow Camp in Scotland

While career pathways are at the heart of Ellis Brigham’s support, their generosity also extends beyond employment opportunities.

In Scotland, Ellis Brigham Aviemore has played a vital role in equipping Snow Camp participants with essential gear, particularly during our Nevis 4 splitboarding training. Their team, led by Mike and Zain, ensures our young people have the right kit, knowledge, and confidence to safely explore the mountains.

Their continued commitment to kit donations ensures that financial barriers never prevent a young person from experiencing the mountains.

Why These Opportunities Matter

For many young people, the traditional education or career path doesn’t always fit. Snow Camp exists to provide an alternative route – one that combines sport, adventure, and personal development with real-world career opportunities.

Ellis Brigham’s support is vital in making this happen. Through their:

• Apprentice placements
• Industry experience days
• Career pathways into employment
• Equipment support in Scotland

They are helping young people gain independence, build professional skills, and step into exciting careers in the snowsports industry.

Mark Brigham, Director of Ellis Brigham, shares why this partnership is so important:

“The Snow Camp Apprentice Scheme is an initiative that we were keen to be a part of from day 1. Enabling the workforce of the future to experience a busy retail environment and arm them with skills that will hopefully influence their choice of future vocation, is a vitally important role that we feel very proud to be a part of.” – Mark Brigham, Director, Ellis Brigham

This partnership proves that when organisations invest in young people, the impact is transformational, not just for the individuals, but for the industry as a whole.

Get Involved: Help Us Create More Opportunities

We are incredibly grateful to Ellis Brigham for their ongoing commitment to Snow Camp and our young people. Their partnership demonstrates the power of industry support in shaping futures.

Would your organisation like to help create career opportunities for young people in snowsports?

Whether it’s through work placements, apprenticeships, industry insight days, or full-time recruitment opportunities, your support can transform a young person’s future.

To discuss how your company can get involved, contact Dan Keeley, our Community & Events Director.

Together, we can inspire, empower, and create lasting change through snowsports. Let’s make a difference – one young person at a time.

Thank You Ellis Brigham

With their continued support, we can help more young people overcome barriers, discover new passions, and step confidently into their futures. To everyone involved, thank you for believing in the potential of every young person we work with.

Explore our Snow Camp programmes and find out more about how we support young people.